Exercise apparatus for the disabled

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus (10) for persons who are confined to a wheelchair and which comprises a tiltable wheelchair support structure (15) supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal transverse axis between a first wheelchair receiving position wherein the wheelchair can be wheeled backwards onto the platform base (16) of the structure (15) and located in a generally upright position with its seat back (29) supported against back support means (17) of the support structure (15), and a second tilted exercising position wherein the wheelchair and its occupant are stably supported in a reclined position against the back support means (17). One or more exercising devices (45) are mounted adjacent the support structure (17) and are operable by the wheelchair occupant when in the reclined exercising position. In the reclined exercising position, the wheelchair and its occupant are effectively immobilized and stably support during the exercise routines.

This invention relates to exercise apparatus and in particular toexercise apparatus for persons who are confined (whether temporarily orpermanently) to a wheelchair.

Most exercise or gymnasium type equipment known to the applicant hasbeen developed for use by full able-bodied persons and very littleequipment has been developed which has regard to the ergonomicconsiderations peculiar to the physically handicapped, especiallywheelchair users. Certain prior art exercise apparatus for wheelchairusers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,153,244, 4,747,595 and 5,044,629and although each of these arrangements allows the wheelchair user tocarry out his or her exercise routines while seated within thewheelchair, the means by which the wheelchair itself is secured relativeto the surrounding framework and the manner in which the wheelchair useris supported in the wheelchair during the exercise routines areconsidered generally unsatisfactory. Furthermore, in some cases, theaccessibility of the wheelchair user to the apparatus is such that thewheelchair user cannot independently and without external assistance,position himself in readiness for the exercise routines.

In each of the prior art arrangements, the wheelchair user, during theexercise routines, is supported in a generally upright position with thewheelchair having its front and rear wheels resting on the ground orfloor on which the exercise apparatus is mounted. Hence the wheelchair,if not restrained by locking devices, is prone to movement relative tothe surrounding framework.

It is an object of the present invention to provide exercise apparatusfor use by wheelchair users which is designed to support the wheelchairand its occupant in a reclined stable position while exercising andwhich makes it possible to secure the wheelchair against movementwithout separate restraint devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide exerciseapparatus which is readily accessible by a wheelchair user and whichallows the user to position himself in the exercising position of theapparatus with minimal, if any, outside assistance.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide animproved exercise apparatus which is designed to accommodate wheelchairsof different types and sizes with little or no modification.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an exerciseapparatus which is designed so that it can be used by both wheelchairusers, ambulant disabled and full able-bodied persons, and which affordsincreased safety and reliability, and enhanced performance in exerciseprescriptions and protocols.

According to this invention therefore, exercise apparatus for use byindividuals while seated in a wheelchair comprises:

support means,

a tiltable wheelchair support structure comprising a platform base andback support means extending upwardly from the base at or adjacent therear end thereof, said wheelchair support structure being connected tosaid support means for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontalpivot axis between a first wheelchair receiving position wherein thewheelchair can be wheeled backwards onto the platform base and locatedin a generally upright position with its seat back contiguous with saidback support means, and a second tilted exercising position wherein thewheelchair and its occupant seated therein are stably supported in areclined disposition against said back support means, and

one or more exercising devices operable by the wheelchair occupant whenin said reclined disposition.

In a preferred embodiment the support means comprises a three-sidedstationary framework which includes a pair of opposite spaced apart sideframes and a rear end frame interconnecting the side frames the side andrear end frames defining an area into and out of which a wheelchair canbe wheeled through an open front end of the framework and saidwheelchair support structure is pivotally secured to and locates betweensaid side frames.

Preferably the wheelchair support structure is moved between its firstand second positions and held therein by means of a fluid actuated powerram which can be hydraulically or pneumatically operated. Alternatively,the support structure can be manually tilted rearwardly, to its reclinedposition, so that the rear of the back support means abuts against across bar or rail extending between the side frames, the cross bar orrail operating to limit the extent of rearward tilt of the supportstructure. This can be achieved by the wheelchair user using his or herarms to push against the stationary framework.

Preferably the platform base comprises a front ramp portion, a rearrecessed portion for locating the rear wheels of the wheelchair whenpositioned on the platform, and an intermediate planar portion extendingbetween said rear and front portions for supporting the front wheels ofthe wheelchair.

Preferably the wheelchair back support means comprises an uprightsupport frame fixedly secured to the platform base, centrally thereof,and a plurality of aligned cushion elements stacked one on top of theother, at least some of the cushion elements being detachably secured tothe support frame. This allows the padded back support to be modified,ie by removal of one or more of the cushion elements, so as toaccommodate different types and sizes of wheelchair seat back frames andthereby ensure that the seat back of the wheelchair is contiguous withthe lower portion of the back support frame when the wheelchair is fullybacked onto the platform base. It is important that the back and neckregion of the wheelchair occupant be firmly and comfortably supportedagainst the back support means during the exercise routines.

Preferably the pivotal support structure is suspended on opposite sidesof its platform base by means of pivot pins or bolts which are carriedby said frames intermediate the lengths thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the support structurein its first wheelchair receiving position, the forward end of the rampof the platform base engages the floor or ground on which the apparatusis supported.

Preferably the exercise apparatus is freestanding.

In use, a wheelchair occupant backs his or her wheelchair upwardly ontothe platform of the support structure, following which the supportstructure is moved to its tilted position so that the wheelchair and itsoccupant are comfortably and stably supported in an immobilised,reclined position relative to the ground. The wheelchair thus becomespart of the support structure and preconditions the wheelchair user inan effective and natural postural attitude for his or her exerciseroutines. By placing the wheelchair user in a reclined position, thishas the advantage of utilising the effect of gravity to naturallyconstrain the user within the confines of their own environmentalcondition, ie the wheelchair. A further advantage of the reclinedposition is that any involuntary forward body movement of the wheelchairuser is resisted by the user's own weight.

Restraining straps or belts may be used for restraining the wheelchairand its occupant to ensure that the wheelchair occupant is retained in asecure relation with respect to the wheelchair and the platform. Ifnecessary, straps can be used to secure the wheelchair in relation tothe support structure.

Preferably, the wheelchair is moved to its reclined position by the useroperating fixed, hand control switches located on the side frames of thestationary framework. Consequently the wheelchair user can control therate and speed of both backward and forward tilt, with either hand (ifphysically possible).

The reclined positions of the wheelchair occupant while exercising, hasthe effect of decreasing spinal compression when the user exerts againsta force eg a weighted lever arm, and allows the forces to be more evenlydistributed over the whole of the user's body. This in turn helps tominimise secondary health complications such as decubitus ulcers.

In order to further explain the present invention, two embodiments aredescribed hereunder in some further detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention and which shows thewheelchair (in phantom) backed onto the platform base of the wheelchairsupport structure prior to tilting same to its reclined position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,which illustrates the wheelchair support structure in its generallyupright position and also its tilted or reclined position (shown inphantom), with portions of the main framework having been omitted forthe sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 illustrating the drive mechanism by which the wheelchairsupport structure is moved between its generally upright position andrearwardly tilted position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the padded back support ofthe wheelchair support structure, showing the releasable attachment ofcertain ones of the cushion elements or segments to the support frame;and

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of wheelchair supportapparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof,exercise apparatus 10 comprises a stationary framework 11 which forms athree-sided enclosure having a front open end and which is sized so thatit will accommodate a wheelchair 12 (shown in phantom) therewithin. Theframework 11 comprises a pair of opposite spaced apart side frames 13,13' and an end frame 14 which interconnects the side frames 13, 13' ator near their rear ends. Each of the frames is formed of tubular steelmembers.

A wheelchair support structure 15 is pivotally mounted between the sideframes 13, 13' and comprises a platform base 16 and a padded backsupport 17 which is rigidly fixed to the platform 16 centrally thereof.In this embodiment, the wheelchair support structure 15 is suspended onits opposite sides from transversely aligned pivots 19 supported byframe members 20, 20' of the side frames 13, 13' respectively, forpivotal movement between a first substantially upright position to apredetermined tilted exercising position (shown in phantom in FIG. 2).Rotation of the support structure 15 through a tilt angle of at least25° is considered desirable. The tilt angle should preferably beselected so that when in the reclined position, the person's centre ofgravity is moved sufficiently to effectively "immobilise" the person inthe wheelchair and minimise any likelihood of any involuntary forwardmovement occurring during the exercise routines.

As shown in FIG. 1, the padded back support 17 can be restrained in itsrearwardly tilted position by means of an upper cross frame member 21 ofend frame 14. As will be explained hereinafter, where the apparatus isfitted with a power drive mechanism for driving the support structure 15between its generally upright and reclined positions, the supportstructure 15 will be selectively held in those positions by virtue ofthe restraining forces exerted by the power mechanism. If the movementof the support structure 15 is effected manually, for safety reasons itwould be desirable to use restraining belts or straps extending betweenthe side frames 13, 13' to retain the structure 15 and the wheelchair 12in their reclined position.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the platform base 16 includesa ramp portion 22 at its forward end, a pair of transversely aligned,spaced apart wheel engaging recessed portions 24 adjacent the rear endof the platform 16, and an intermediate planar portion 25 which extendsbetween the ramp portion 22 and the recessed portions 24. The rampportion 22, when the support structure 15 is in its upright position,will desirably touch the ground or floor to facilitate the wheeling ofthe wheelchair 12 into its position on the platform 16. When fullypositioned on the platform 16, the wheelchair 12 has its rear wheels 27located in the wheel wells 24, and its front wheels 28 rollinglyengaging the intermediate portion 25 of the platform 16. With the rearwheels 27 located in the wheel wells 24, the wheelchair is held inposition on the platform 16.

The wheel wells 24 and the padded back support 17 are located relativeto one another so that when the wheelchair 12 is backed onto theplatform 16, the seat back 29 of the wheelchair 12 abuts against a lowerportion of the padded support 17. This ensures that both the lower andupper regions of the occupant's back are firmly and effectivelysupported as the support structure 15 together with the wheelchair 12are moved to their reclined position. When in the reclined position, theentire back, neck and head of the wheelchair occupant are supported bythe back support 17.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings, the padded back support 17comprises a rigid support frame 30 rigidly secured to the rear end ofthe platform base 16, and a stack of cushion elements 33, placed one ontop of the other, each of which is secured to the front face of abacking frame member 34 of the frame 30. As shown in FIG. 5, at leastsome of the cushion elements 33 are detachably secured to the member 34by releasable adhesive means eg Velcro, affixed to the member 34 and therear surface of the cushion element 33. It will of course be appreciatedthat the cushion elements can be releasably attached to the backingmember 34 in other ways, eg by clips or studs.

Normally, it will be necessary to remove at least one of the cushionelements 33 so as to provide a transverse recess 35 to accommodate therearwardly projecting push bar or rail of the seat back frame of thewheelchair 12 when the wheelchair 12 is fully backed onto the platform16. The push rail or bar may be located at different heights above theground on different makes and sizes of wheelchairs and consequently thevertical location of the transverse recess 35 needs to be variable. Thisvariation is met by having a number of cushion elements 33 which can beselectively removed (and subsequently replaced after exercising has beencompleted) in order to create a recess 35 at the appropriate height toaccommodate the push bar or rail of the wheelchair. As statedpreviously, it is important that the wheelchair occupant when seated inthe wheelchair 12 is positioned with his or her back firmly supportedagainst the padded back support 17.

As also shown in FIG. 2, a cantilever seat 36 is attached to the base ofthe padded back support 17 in a manner which will allow the seat to beeither bodily removed from the support structure 15 or simply swungdownwardly from a normal seating position shown in FIG. 2 to a stowedaway position where it will not obstruct the movement of the wheelchairas the latter is backed onto the platform 16. The seat 36 allows theapparatus 10 to be used by people who do not need the aid of awheelchair. In the reclined position of the support structure 15, withthe person seated on seat 36, a comfortable postural attitude for theuser when exercising is provided.

A spring-loaded latch release arm 35 is provided on the underside of theseat 36 and which, when retracted, allows the seat 36 to pivot downwardsto the stowed away position, whilst, when extended, locks the seat inits upper position.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, there is shown a recline drivemechanism which, in this embodiment, comprises a pneumatic ram 37 havingits opposite ends pivotally connected to a transverse end frame member38 and the rear end of the end of the platform 16 centrally thereof. Theram is powered by a drive motor unit (not shown). Hand control switches41 are mounted on frame members 20, 20' of the side frames 13, 13' sothat they can be conveniently operated by the wheelchair occupant whenthe wheelchair is backed onto the platform 16, the switches 41 beingused to control the extension and retraction movement of the ram 37 andin turn the rearward and forward rotational movement of the supportstructure 15. Overriding limit switches (not shown) can be included inthe drive mechanism to limit the extent of tilt, both in the forward andreverse directions, as a safety measure.

It should of course be appreciated that the recline drive mechanism maycomprise an electrically controlled linear actuator, an hydraulicallyoperated ram, or even a mechanical gear drive unit operated by a manualrotatable hand wheel.

As shown in phantom in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the exercising unitcomprises a pair of weight stacks 42 mounted in vertical tubular frames43 on opposite sides of the framework 11 of the apparatus 10. Inaccordance with known art, each weight stack 42 is coupled via a pulleyand cable arrangement, to a respective pull down crank lever arm 45pivotally mounted on upper cross frame member 21 which is located behindthe padded back support 17. With the wheelchair 12 fully backed onto theplatform 16 and the platform tilted to its reclined position, thewheelchair occupant can grasp the lever arms 45 and perform his or herexercise routines. Selection of the desired weight load by way of astack selector key (not shown) is readily effected by most wheelchairusers, the key having an enlarged head 46 to facilitate the use thereof.

It will be appreciated that different forms of exercising units can befitted to the framework 11 and the invention is not restricted to theweighted lever arm exercise unit disclosed herein.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the apparatus 10 can also include apull-up bar assembly 48 suspended from an overhead cross bar 49 whichextends between and connects to the upright tubular frames 43.

Although the present embodiment shows the platform base 16 suspendedfrom elevated pivots 19 on the opposed side frames 13, 13', it will berealised that numerous other arrangements can be used for rotationallymounting the platform with respect to the side frames 13, 13'. Forexample, a pivot axle may be secured to the platform base 16 on theunderside thereof intermediate its ends, with the ends of the axle beingjournalled for rotation in the bottom frame members of the side frames13, 13'.

In using the exercise apparatus, the wheelchair occupant rolls thewheelchair 12, back first, onto the platform base 16 until the largerear wheels 27 of the wheelchair engage in the wheel locating wells 24.The occupant of the wheelchair then operates the recline drive mechanismactuating switches 41 so as to tilt the support structure 15 to itsreclined position. The occupant is then ready to commence his or herexercise routines.

If necessary, safety belts or straps can be used in order to ensure thatthe occupant is firmly retained in position against the padded backsupport 17 and thereby inhibit any involuntary lateral body movement. Asafety lap belt as well as an upper chest restraining belt or strap maybe included as an integral part of the pivotally support structure 15 orthe straps can be anchored to the side frames 13, 13'.

As shown in FIG. 1, the platform base 16 can be provided with suitablenon-skid matting 50 to improve wheelchair traction when the wheelchairis wheeled backwardly along the platform. In this embodiment, thematting 50 is affixed to the upper surface of the platform 16 in aparticular pattern so as to provide a visual alignment guide to thewheelchair user as the wheelchair is backed onto the platform into theexercise position. It is of course not unusual for wheelchair occupantsto have minimal neck joint rotational movement which may make itdifficult for the user to properly align the wheelchair in relation tothe padded back support 17. The matting thus forms clearly defined pathsfor the wheels of the wheelchair, which if followed, will correctlyalign the wheelchair with respect to the padded back support 17.

With reference to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.6, the wheelchair support structure 52 comprises an upright rear frame53, a rectangular base frame 54 fixed to and extending forwardly of theframe 53, a padded back 55 secured to the frame 53 and a platform 56supported between the sides of the base frame 54. A pair of tilt rams 57are supported at one of their ends on the floor and connect to the frontcorners of the base frame 54 and operate to lift the front end of thebase frame 54 to in turn rotate the support structure 52 about itsbottom rear edge.

A rearwardly and downwardly inclined prop member 58 is pivotallyattached to the rear frame 53 centrally thereof and is arranged tosupport the support structure 52 in its reclined position, with thewheelchair positioned on the platform 56. The prop member 58 has aground engaging dolley wheel 59 mounted to its lower free end whichrolls across the floor as the prop member 58 swings rearwardly inresponse to the tilting movement of the support structure 52. Theconnection of the prop 58 to the frame 53 is arranged to limit the angleof tilt of the prop 58 relative to the frame 53.

Hand control switches 60 are mounted on side rails 61 to enable thewheelchair user to actuate the tilt rams 57 when the wheelchair isbacked onto the platform 56.

Exercising devices can be fitted to the support structure 52 or can bestationed therearound.

A brief consideration of the abovedescribed embodiment will indicatethat the invention provides exercise apparatus for the disabled which isof simple, lightweight, readily compact construction and which can beeasily moved or transported if required. Its simplicity of design allowsthe apparatus to be manufactured at relatively low cost. Furthermore,the exercise apparatus of the present invention enables many wheelchairusers to independently position themselves within the apparatus in thereclined exercising position, select the desired weights, and safelyoperate the apparatus in carrying out their exercise routines.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. Exercise apparatusfor use by individuals while seated in a wheelchair comprises:supportmeans, a tiltable wheelchair support structure comprising a platformbase and back support means extending upwardly from the base, saidwheelchair support structure being supported by said support means forpivotal movement about a transverse axis between a first wheelchairreceiving position wherein the wheelchair can be wheeled backwards ontothe platform base and located thereon in a generally upright positionwith its seat back abutting said back support means, and a second tiltedexercising position wherein the wheelchair and occupant seated thereinare stably supported in a reclined disposition against said back supportmeans, and one or more exercising means operable by the wheelchairoccupant when in said reclined disposition.
 2. Exercise apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a three-sidedstationary framework which includes a pair of opposite spaced apart sideframes and a rear end frame interconnecting the side frames, the sideand rear end frames defining an area into and out of which a wheelchaircan be wheeled through an open front end of the framework.
 3. Exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising power tilt means foreffecting said movement of said support structure between said first andsecond positions.
 4. Exercise apparatus according to claim 3 whereinsaid tilt means comprises hydraulic or pneumatic ram means operativelyconnected to said support structure.
 5. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said platform base comprises a ramp located forwardly ofthe open front end of the framework and which is arranged to facilitatethe positioning of the wheelchair and its occupant onto said platformbase.
 6. Exercise apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said ramp formsan integral part of said platform base.
 7. Exercise apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said platform base comprises transversely alignedwheel engaging recesses for locating the rear wheels of the wheelchairwhen positioned on said platform base.
 8. Exercise apparatus accordingto claim 7 wherein said wheel engaging recesses are defined in part bywalls which curve upwardly and rearwardly to the rear edge of theplatform base.
 9. Exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidback support means comprises a padded or cushioned support frame fixedlysecured to the rear of said platform base.
 10. Exercise apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said padded or cushioned support framecomprises an approximately vertical column of cushion elements, at leastsome of which are detachably secured to the support frame.
 11. Exerciseapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said support structure issuspended from pivot pins or bolts carried by said pair of opposite sideframes of the stationary framework.
 12. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 1 comprising limit means for limiting the extent of pivotalmovement of the support structure, in both clockwise and anticlockwisedirections.
 13. Exercise apparatus according to claim 12 wherein thetilt angle of said support structure when in the reclined position isgreater than 25° to the vertical.
 14. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said exercising means comprises a pair of pivotallymounted pull down lever arms on opposite sides of the back support meansand which connect via respective pulley and cable systems to respectiveweight stacks mounted on opposite sides of the main framework, each saidweight stack being vertically guided.
 15. Exercise apparatus accordingto any one of claims 3 to 14 wherein each said side frame includes anupper side frame member on which is mounted an operating switch orbutton for actuating said tilt means, said switch or button beingoperable by the wheelchair occupant in both said first and secondpositions of the support structure.
 16. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said stationary framework is freestanding.
 17. Exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a movable seat carriedon the said support structure for seatingly supporting a user of theapparatus in lieu of a wheelchair whereby the apparatus can be used bynon-wheelchair confined persons.
 18. Exercise apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said removable cushion elements are detachably securedto said support frame by hook and loop adhesive means.
 19. Exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means comprises anangularly adjustable prop member connected to and extending downwardlyand rearwardly from the back support means of said support structurecentrally thereof, and a pair of ground engaging tilt rams operativelyconnected to the front end of said platform base on opposite sidesthereof and arranged during their extension stroke, to rotate thesupport structure about its bottom rear edge so as to lift the front endof the support structure to an elevated position while simultaneouslytilting the back support means rearwardly, said prop member holding theback support means in said second tilted position of the supportstructure.
 20. Exercise apparatus according to claim 19 wherein saidprop member is provided with a freely rotating wheel at its distal freeend.